This lesson applies the science and math of the rotation of a sphere to water and wind movements on Earth. Students are introduced to convection, the Trade Winds and the Coriolis Force. Using an online visualizer, students generate trajectories and...(View More) then analyze course patterns and latitudinal changes in strength. Note that this is lesson two of five on the Ocean Motion website. Each lesson investigates ocean surface circulation using satellite and model data and can be done independently. See Related URL's for links to the Ocean Motion Website that provide science background information, data resources, teacher material, student guides and a lesson matrix.(View Less)

In this paper and pencil activity, students are provided with a map of the U.S. and use it to measure and calculate distance. Access to a globe will enhance the activity. The resource is part of the teacher's guide accompanying the video, NASA Why...(View More) Files: The Case of the Mysterious Red Light. Lesson objectives supported by the video, additional resources, teaching tips and an answer sheet are included in the teacher's guide.(View Less)

This is an activity about the detection of magnetic storms. Learners will plot the locations of magnetic observatories in Canada and analyze the magnetic intensity for each station, looking for the difference between stable magnetic activity and the...(View More) largest difference in change in magnetic activity and identifying any patterns of change. This is the thirteenth activity in the Exploring the Earth's Magnetic Field: An IMAGE Satellite Guide to the Magnetosphere educators guide.(View Less)

In this mathematical activity, students learn why a tectonically-active area of the globe is called "The Ring of Fire" by examining a data map differentiating shield volcanoes, cinder cones, and stratovolcanoes and calculating the percentage of...(View More) active volcanoes that are contained within this region. The resource is part of the teacher's guide accompanying the video, NASA Why Files: The Case of the Mysterious Red Light. Lesson objectives supported by the video, additional resources, teaching tips and an answer sheet are included in the teacher's guide.(View Less)

This is an activity about shape. Learners will investigate that the Earth is a sphere by comparing the length of shadows from nails arranged on a flat map compared to nails arranged around a spherical globe. From the observations collected, they...(View More) will infer that different shadow lengths at different locations would clearly indicate that our planet is not flat. This is Actividad 3.2 as part of El Universo a Sus Pies, a Spanish-language curriculum, available for purchase.(View Less)

This is an activity about shape. Learners will investigate that the Earth is a sphere by comparing the length of shadows from nails arranged on a flat map compared to nails arranged around a spherical globe. From the observations collected, they...(View More) will infer that different shadow lengths at different locations would clearly indicate that our planet is not flat. This is Activity C-2 of Universe at Your Fingertips 2.0: A Collection of Activities and Resources for Teaching Astronomy DVD-ROM, which is available for purchase.(View Less)